The expression of heat shock protein 70 in the dental pulp following trauma

Traumatic dental injuries vary in severity from mild concussion to avulsion. All organisms respond to stress by inducing the synthesis of a group of proteins known generically as heat shock proteins. The activation of these proteins is an essential cellular mechanism designed to protect against a variety of environmental stresses. It is probable that the production of these proteins is increased in the cells of the traumatized dental pulp, however, this has not as yet been demonstrated. The degree of heat shock proteins expression may be related to the severity of the trauma such that estimating the extent of heat shock proteins expression may provide a practicable way of quantifying these injuries.

Twenty adult male ferrets were divided into four groups. Each maxillary and mandibular right canine was traumatized with the contralateral canines acting as undamaged controls. The trauma was a simulated concussion injury applied using a uniform force. Animals were killed at 24, 48, 72 and 168 h after the injury. The canines were extracted, sectioned and processed for immunohistochemistry using a mouse monoclonal antibody specific for Hsp70.

There was a statistically significant difference in Hsp70 staining between traumatized and non-traumatized teeth only in the group observed 24 h after the trauma. The expression of heat shock proteins form part of the early pulpal response to trauma.